Madison police are investigating a pair of holiday hardships, after vandals and thieves made the season a bit less merry and, quite literally, bright.

On Dec. 3 and then again on Dec. 5, a resident of Union Avenue told police someone had cut the resident's Christmas lights, police said. The same resident reported a similar incident last year, around the same time, police said.

Police said they don't know of any witnesses, but are asking anyone with information to contact them at 973-593-3000.

A few days earlier, on Nov. 30, a Main Street store owner reported someone had taken several Christmas decorations from the display in front of the store — including two large candy canes, red ribbons and Christmas twigs, police said. One of the candy canes was later found on Main Street by Patrolman Matthew Mirabella, who returned the items to the store.

In that case as well, police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 973-593-3000.